I submitted my application online and was emailed to come in for an interview the next day. The email was generic without clear instruction of who I was going to be meeting with. I arrive to Hillstone Santa Monica and was greeted by a hostess who automatically assumed I was there for an interview. Perhaps, I didn't look like their normal clientele (not white?). I am seated at the first table with another individual who is interviewing as well. He is then taken to the back of the restaurant by a man who does not introduce himself or even acknowledges my presence at the small table. As I am waiting, an older server with braids passes by and whispers, "try to smile at all times". I felt that it was completely rude of her to say that to me. I observed the staff around me and no one was smiling. The person who was being interviewed before me lasted only about 5 minutes. I did not take that as a good sign. The process just kept going downhill from there. I sat there and as the interviewing manager(?) walked past my table again, I smiled but he deliberately continued to ignore my presence. He chatted with the hostess for about 5 minutes, then finally looked my way, smiled and asked me 3 basic questions. After about five minutes, he closed the interview with a generic statement. He then awkwardly stared at me for what felt like an eternity. It was the most uncomfortable experience I have had in a while. I took it upon myself to make the next move. I thanked him for his time and I stood up and extended my hand to shake his. He was sitting there and looked at my hand and forcefully took his hand to shake mine. I am a woman of color. I had previously read about discrimination at this establishment, but never thought I would be a victim of it for a job interview. I truly felt like something was wrong with me after this experience. If I didn't have thick skin, I would've walked out in tears.

They know what they're looking for. Questions are really specific for them to see how well you fit the company culture and not just the role itself. Three total rounds of interviews for any position.